The Silk Road is the name given for the ancient trade routes which linked locations in parts of Asia, the Mediterranean regions, other parts of Europe and northern and eastern Africa. At one time the route connected regions as far-flung as China, Northern India and the Roman and Parthian empires. The trade link passed through the Chinese cities of Sinkiang and Kansu as well as the regions identified today as Iraq, Iran and Syria. As its name suggests, silk was one of the primary goods traded, and was the most important commodity taken from China.
Extending a distance of about 4,000 miles, the route was traversed by daring merchants who braved the hazards of the journey lured by the rich profits on offer. The actual trading of silk commenced at the time of the Han Dynasty, although trade routes existed even before this period. Trading on the Silk Road contributed significantly to the development of civilizations like China, Persia, India and Arabia. Although silk was the major commodity brought from China, many other kinds of goods were transported along the route. In addition, different technologies, philosophies and religions were spread along the vast stretches of the Silk Road. In ancient times Bactrian and Indian traders dominated commerce along the routes, followed by Sogdian traders from the 5th to the 8th centuries and Persian and Arab merchants thereafter.
Traders from north-western India played a crucial role in the silk trade, acting as middlemen between China and Western nations. Chinese merchants would exchange their silk for the Indians’ precious stones, gold, silver and jade; in turn, the Indians would trade the coveted silk with the regions of the Roman Empire.
Today, China remains the world’s largest producer of silk, accounting for 74% of global silk production and 90% of the export market for the fabric. Presently, advanced technologies are employed in the production process, but the source of the material remains the cocoons produced by the mulberry silkworm, which is raised in captivity.
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